• Search
    • Sign up for our newsletter
    The Backbench
    #25 Contradictions In Conflict
    As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada's response to conflict vary so much depending on the country? This week's contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu

    As the war in Ukraine escalates and Canadian leaders head to Europe, we assess the economic and military responses so far. And despite fully grasping the severity of Russian aggression, we want to know: Why does Canada’s response to conflict vary so much depending on the country?

    This week’s contributors: Drew Brown, Caroline Elliott, Jaskaran Sandhu

    Links:

    • The Narwhal’s piece about Canadian players still dealing in Russian resources
    • More context on the Canadian discourse re: Sikhs written by Jaskaran
    • More on Ottawa’s decision to delay the decision on Newfoundland’s Bay du Nord oil project

    Sponsors: Oxio, Freshbooks

    March 8, 2022
    Share
    More from this series
    #48 NDP – New Dental Plan
    Our host Mattea Roach, tackles the “new” and “exciting” Federal dental plan with Riley Yesno, Stuart Thomson, and Nick Taylor-Vaisey. The NDP are patting themselves on the back for getting something done in Ottawa—but how much have they really accomplished here? Speaking of “new” and “exciting” we need to talk about the IRCC’s new proposed immigration pathways that seem to be recycled old ones.
    October 4, 2022
    #47 Picking Apart Pierre’s Populism
    Our new host, Mattea Roach, ponders Poilievre’s political playbook with Riley Yesno, David Moscrop and Catherine Griwkowsky on this week’s panel episode. And you know the saying, leaders come and go. As Pierre Poilievre makes his way into the Conservative leadership, Queen Elizabeth II has left us. Is it time to crack open our constitution and jettison the monarchy once and for all?
    September 20, 2022
    #46 Meet Mattea Roach, Our New Host! (Teaser)
    We’re thrilled to announce that Mattea Roach will be hosting the brand new season of The Backbench.
    September 6, 2022
    #45 Fatima’s Last Episode
    Where are the fresh faces in Canadian politics? Today, we dive into career politicians—the good the bad, and the ugly. Plus, why can’t our various levels of government just work together? It’s time to end the federal, provincial and municipal war. Also, guest contributors join Fatima’s last episode for her last point of order segment.
    August 23, 2022
    #44 Leaders Who Don’t Lead
    In this week’s episode, we talk about what constitutes good leadership, and why our leaders are struggling to meet the moment amid a global ripple of failed democratic leadership. Plus, is provincial immigration autonomy going to save us from the 2.7 million applicant backlog?
    August 9, 2022
    #43 The Catastrophe Commissioner
    In this episode, Jerry DeMarco, Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, delves into the Canadian federal response to climate change, and why our response is still insufficient. DeMarco unpacks 30 years of failed climate progress and offers an analysis of our government’s actions and inactions to deal with our seemingly impending doom.
    July 26, 2022
    #42 Why Don’t Women Run For Office?
    It’s 2022 and our politics remain dominated by men. We talked to three women who spent time in office to try to find out why. We’re joined by former NDP MP Peggy Nash, current NDP MP Leah Gazan, and former Vancouver city councillor Andrea Reimer. 
    July 12, 2022
    #41 All Policing Is Political
    Are our policing systems broken? Today, we dive into reimagining public safety following an array of policing scandals across the country. Plus, what did our government achieve and fail to achieve in Parliament this past year?
    June 28, 2022
    all podcasts arrow All Podcasts
    The Backbench